Moving-picture machine.



L. W. MERKEL.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILBD JULY 21, 1910.

1,026,991. I Patented May 21, 1912.

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MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

1,026,991 Patented May 21, 1912.

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MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

Patented May 21, 1912.

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MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

1,026,991 Patented May 21, 1912.

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MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

v Patented May 2 l, 1912.

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L. W. MERKEL.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

Patented May 21, 1912.

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MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLIOATIQH IILEDIJUILY 21, 1910.

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Patented May 21, 1912.

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LEWIS W. MERKEL, OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNTOR 0F ONE-FOURTH TO JOHN J. HANLON AND ONE-FOURTH TO H. G. SCHELDEN, BOTH OFv ALLENT'OWN,

PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

MOVING-PICTURE MACHINE.

, Patented May 21, 1912.

Application filed July 21, 1910. Serial No, 573,056.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS W. MERKEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allentown, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moving-Picture Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in moving picture machines and particularly to the film holding and winding mechanism thereof.

reel may be supported in position to be again run through the machine without the necessity of winding-the film back on the reel.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construct-ion, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the.

ap nded claims.

' n the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a moving picture machine embodying my invention showing the door open; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the reel holding box; Fig. 3 is a front 'end view of a portion of the reel.

box; Fig. 4 is a central vertical transverse sectional view taken on a line-with the reel shaft; Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectipnal view on the line .5-5 of Fig. 4 looking. in the direction of the a-II'OWO. Fig. 6 is a similar view onthe line 6-6 lookingin the direction of the arrow 6; Fi 7 is a similar view on the line'7-7 of Fig. 4.- looking in the direction of the arrow 0; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the supporting bracket for the reel box; Fig. 9'is an enlarged vertical section through a rtion of the reel, removed? from the box; F1g. 10: is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 10-*10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a view of the be removed without un-- inner side of one section of the reel showing the position of the clamping members of the hub before the adjoining section of the reel 1s engaged therewith; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section through the hub portion of the adjoining member of the hub; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the machinerwhen arranged for use without a reel 1n the reel box; Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertlcal sectlon of the reel box showing the manner in which the same is used when arranged in a horizontal position and taken on the line l ly-14 of Fig. 15; Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1 515 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a detail vertical section of the same on the line l616 of Fig. 15;

Fig/17 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1717-of Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a front elevation partly in section of the film guiding rolls; Fig. 19 is a horizontal section taken on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is a the crank handle for revolving a reel in the 89 reel box of the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the lamp and lens box of the machine. The box 1 may be of the usual or any suitable construction and is provided with any suitable form of film operating mechanism. Arranged above the box 1 is my improved reel holding box 2. .The box 2 is attached to the lamp box 1 by a supporting bracket 3 which as here shown prefer- 90 ably comprises a pair of parallel bars 4 and 5. ,The bar 4: is preferably rectangular in cross section and has formed integral with one end a slotted bracket plate 6 on which is formed a right angular laterally projecting end bar 7. On the opposite end of the bar 4 is slidably mounted a head 8, said head being held in its adjusted positions on the bar 1- by a set screw 9. With the head 8 is slidably' engaged the 'opposite'end bar 10, said bar being secured in its adjusted positions in the head 8 by a set screw 11. On the opposite end of the end bar 10 is fixedly mount ed a head 12 which has a sliding engagement with the adjacent end of the bar 5 of the bracket. The head 12 is fastened 1n 1ts adjusted positions on the bar 5 by a set screw 13., On the opposite end of the bar 5 i be closed by a door 28, the hinge 29 of j of the bracket and which is held in its ad by a set screw justed positions on said bar The box 2 is or other fastening device.

further supported on the bar 5 by a notched lug 24 formed on a lateral extension of the corner brace of the box. By thus forming the box supporting bracket 3 the latter may be adjusted in all directions and the a bracket plates also adjusted thereby provid- 7 the door 28- is a laterally projecting stud.

ing for the attachment of the box 2 to any form or size of lamp box. By pivotally and slidably attaching the box 2. to the bracket in the manner described said box may be shifted and turned from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa.

The box 2 is preferably constructed of sheet metal and preferably comprises a cy. lindrical body portion or drum 25 having on one edge and adjacent to its lower portion a substantially rectangular extension 26. A portion of one edge of the drum 25 and the upper edge of the extension 26 is provided with a hinged cover 27 whereby access may be had to this part of the box. One side of the drum 25 is left open and is adapted to which is arranged to form a brace for the door and also a bearing bracket for the end of the reel shaft hereinafter described.

Arranged on the opposite inner sides of the box 2 adjacent to the outer edges thereof are reinforcing rings 30 in which are secured a series of transversely disposed guide rollers 31 with which are slidably engaged.

bearing sleeves 32 formed on or rigidly secured-to the outer ends of a shaft supporting spider 33 arranged in the drum 25 as shown. By thus supporting the spider 33 the latter may be shifted back and forth across the drum for a purpose hereinafter described. Formed integral with the center of the spider 33 on the side of the same adjacent to shaft 34 around which in the side of the spider is formed an annular recess 35.

.On the stud shaft 34- is screwed a detachable reel supporting shaft I 36, said shaft being provided near its inner end with an enlarged head 37 having a squared wrench engaging portion and provided in its inner end with a threaded socket to receive. the stud shaft .34 whereby said reel shaft 36 is detachably secured to the spider. The outer end of the shaft 36 is slidably engaged with a bearing aperture 38 formed in the door 28 and bracing hinge 29. 'On the inner side of the door is preferably arranged a fiber washer 39, while on the shaft 36 adjacent to the enlarged or headed end thereof is arranged a fiber washer 40. The film reel adapted to revolve on the shaft 36 between the washers 39 and 40 which latter are provided for the purpose of taking up wear and causing the reel to revolve true.

On the opposite side of the spider from the stud shaft 34 is formed a laterally projecting trap supporting shaft 41 around the inner end of which, on thespider is formed one member 42 of an annular ball race, the opposite member 43 of which is arranged on the "lower or outer side of a film supporting tray 44 which is revolubly mounted on the shaft 41 and has a ball bearing engagement with the spider by means of the ball races 42 and 43 and a series of balls arranged therein as shown. The bottom of the tray is elevated in the center and inclines gradually toward the edges of the tray and to the elevated cent-er of said bottom .is secured a film holding cone 45, said cone having a revolving engagement with the shaft 41 which projects through the center of the cone. and is provided on its outer end with a cone and tray fastening nut 46 between which and the adjacent .end of the cone is arranged a ball bearing. By means of the ball hearing at the end of the cone and. between the trap and the spider practically all friction between these parts is prevented thus permitting said tray and cone to freely revolve on the shaft 41. The

outer end of the cone 45 is preferably rounded to prevent scratching the film wound therefrom.

In order to hold the doors 27 and 28 in a closed position lt preferably employ on each when undoor an improved form of lock comprising a guldeor base plate.47 which is riveted 'or otherwise secured to the inner side of the door and has slidably engaged therewith and, with guide lugs 48 forme'd thereon, a locking bolt 49. Thebolt 49 is preferably provided on its outer end with a pair of locking lugs 50 which areadapted to be projected into engagement with the inner side of the box or Withsuitable keeper slots formed therein. The bolt 49 is. projected into and out of operativeposition bymeans of an operating shaft 5l which .is revolucuredto its inner enda cam bolt operating disk 54 which is adapted to be turned be- I ing the' two side plates of the reel together. The lnterlockingmembers 58 and 60 of tween operating lugs 55 formed on the bolt 49 whereby when said disk is turned in one direction the bolt'will be retracted to, an unlocked position and when turned in the opposite direction the bolt will be projected tlo alocked position thereby fastening the c oors.

In connection with the machine, I employ an improved construction of film supporting reel comprising a pair of circular-side plates 56 and 57 which are detachably connected together by a hub formed in separable partswhich telescope and lock together in a manner to be now described.

The outer telescoping member of the hub is secured to the side plate 56 and comprises a cylindrical tube 58 having a slightly reduced or. tapered outer end which is provided at diametrically opposite points on its.

inner surface with a series of locking teeth .59. 'The inner telescoping member of the hub comprises a cylindrical tube 60 which is rigidly secured at one end .to the side plate 57 and is provided at diametrically opposite points on its outer surface with a serles of segmental locking teeth 61. When the side plates are brought together to'form' the reel, the inner. member 60 of the hub'is Leo inserted in the tapered outer member 58' with the segmental teeth of the member '60 engaging the spaces between the teeth 59v of the member 58, after which the side plates g 56 and 57 are given a turn in oppositedirec- Jtlons thereby bringing saidteeth 59 and 61 into interlockingengagem'ent thereby hold- T the hub have arranged around the same a film holding sleeve 62 which is preferably formed of j a series of segmental sections,

which are arranged around the hub member .60 and are adjust-ably secured at one end to t-heinner side of the side plate'57 of the reel -'by means of setscrews 63 which are insert-" ed through radially disposed slots 64 formed in the plate 57 and are screwed into the inner ends of the segmental sections of; the

.sleeve 62 thereby adjustably securing said sections to the plate 57. On'one end of the sections of the sleeve 62- are formed, 'in-f wardly projecting segmental lugs 65 on the I inner ends Of'WhlCh are: formed right angu-- l'arly projecting segmental flanges 66 which bers ofthe sleeve 62. The'segmental flanges '66 thus form a substantially cylindrical "socket. which surrounds the outerftubularf member 58of the rhub. The flanges '66 are held iniyieldiing engagement with'the member 58 'ofithe hub by a'coiled 'spring 66 arranged around said, flanges as shown Whenthe telescoping members of the hub are engaged'to formthe reel; the segmental sections ofv the sleeve 62' be forced a said sections narrow slots with which the end of the film is engaged when wound upon said sleeve. By. thus forming the reel, the sides of the same may be readily separated thus permitting the removal of the film from the reel without thenecessity of unwinding the film.

In the lower edge of the extension 26 of the box-2 opposite to the door 27 is revolubly mounted a pair of film guiding rollers 67 and 68, said rollers being revolubly mounted in bearing flanges 69 formed on an attaching plate 70 in which is formed a hole corresponding to a similar hole in the edge of the box to 'whichthe attaching plate is secured. The. roller'67 is" preferably proends of the roller shafts are connected to-' gether by coiled springs 71 whereby said roller 68,v is held in yielding engagement "withthe roller 67. In the front side of the extension 26 is formed an aperture over which is arranged a roller attaching plate 72 2 having formed thereon roller bearing flanges 73 between which are. revolubly mounted a 'pair of 'fihn guiding rollers 74. The bearing apertures for the shaft of one of saidrollers are slightly elongated and the projecting'ends of the roller shafts are connected together by coiled springs 75 which hold said. rollers in yielding engagement. The guide rollers 67, 68 and 74 are preferably provided with a series of longitudinal bores or. passages. whereby said rollers are lightened.

Arranged in the extension "26' ofjthe box and secured to the edge of the same opposite to the guide rollers 74 is a roller attaching braclget 76 :with which is detachably secured the inner end of a rollershaft 77 on which vis revolubly mounted a flanged film guiding roller 78 which is preferably formed'of wood and is provided for a purpose here-,

inafte'r described.

Whenthe machine is used in the ordinary manner the ordinary reel of film or my improved reel containing a film is engaged with the film supporting shaft 36 and the film passed from said reel through the guide rollers 67 68 and thence through the lamp and lensbox to one of my improved reels with ,which the end of the film is connected in the manner described. My improved reel when thus employed for receiving the film 1s revolubly mounted on a suitable supporting shaft 7 9m a reel supporting frame 80 arranged below the lamp box as shown. The shaft 79 is driven to 'revolve the reel by means of any suitable driving mechanism and is here shown as being operatively con- 'nected by a sprocket'gearing 81 to the film shifting mechanism in the lamp box. After the film has thus been run off from the reel in the box onto my improved reel in the frame 80 said film .may be removed from my improved reel without unwinding the film and for the purpose of exhibiting the same again in the manner now tobe de-.

scribed. In removing the film from myv improved reel, the side members of the reel are separated byv the .disengagement of the toothed members of the hub as has been previously described; After. the "sides of the reel have thusbeen separated, the film off the sleeve- 62 while in may be slipped coiled form and is then in readiness to e engaged with the film holding cone45 and film supporting tray 44. Before the film is engaged with the cone and tray, the empty reel is removed from the shaft 36, and the spider 33 together with the tray 44 and cone 45 shifted laterally in the box on the rods 31'Jand toward the door 28. In this movement'of the spider and theparts carried thereby, the shaft. 36 will be projected through the opening 38 in the door and hinge 29. 'By thus shifting the tray an increased space will be provided between the opposite side of the tray and the side of the box. shifted, the box is swung over on the bracket 3 to a substantially horizontal position and is shifted laterally on the rod 5 of the bracket to bring the box ,in line withthe bracket. When in this position, the film is slippedinto engagement with the cone 45.

and rests upon the tray 44 and the inner end of the film is passed'between a pair of film guiding rollers 82 and 83 which are revolubly mounted in a bearing frame 84 which is provided with a stem 85'having a screw threaded engagement with a threaded socket formed in the end of 'a supporting arm 86 the inner end of which is pivotally' hold the rollers in an elevated position against the side of the box when said roll-- ers are not in use. On the' outer end of the frame 84 is secured a plate 90 having its lower edge inclined in. opposite directions and said plate, when the frame 84 and arm 86 are swung down to bring the rollers to an operative position, has its lower edge engaged with a slot 91 formed in the nut 46 guide After the parts have thus been on the end of the shaft 41 uponwhich the r cone 45 and tray 44 are mounted. When the guide rollers 82, 83 -will. be held in an inend of which is'passed" up between the roll.- ers" ,82 and 83" from which it is passed around the guide roller 78and then down between the guide rqllers 74 whence it extends through the lamp and lens box and is wound upon a reel in the lower r'eel supporting frame. By thus supportingand a1" ranging the film it may be seen that the same may be fed. through the machine in the proper direction without the necessity of re- Winding the filmon the reel. In the draw,- ings the guide rollers 82 and83 and their supporting mechanism are arranged for feeding the film to the right and in order to feed the film to the left the bracket 87 is shifted around on the slotted guide plate 88 to the opposite end thereof and the roller supporting frame.84 is tilted in the oppo- ,site directionand has the opposite iIlCllIlGd' edge of'the plate 90 in engagement with'the slot in the nut 46-whereby the frame is'supported in this latter position. By providmg stem 85 of the frame. 84 and the supporting arm 86' these parts may be adjusted to operate in boxes of different sizes. -The rollers 82'and 83 in the frame 84 are constructed and arranged in the same manner as the guide rollers 67 and 68 except that the roll- ,ers 82 and 83 are "held in yielding engageclined position to receive the film, the inner the threaded connection. between a thement by a flat spring-92 arranged in the frame as shown. After the film has thus been run through the machinefrom the-cone and traygthe spider 33 may be shifted and the tray and cone thereby pushed back to the opposite side of the boxwhich will then be returned to lits Vertical position to perion mit a fresh reel to be applied to the shaft 36 and the film unwound therefrom in the usual manner; If it should be desired to rewind a film on a reel, the latter may be placed upon the shaft 36 and the' end of the film engaged therewith after which a suitable reel operating device may be applied to the reel and the latter rotated. For thus rotating the reel, I preferably employ a crank handle 93 which censists of a flat plate or bar havingformed in' one edge thereof a notch 94 adapted tofbe revolubly engaged with the end of the-shaft .36 and which has formed -on one end a'diagonally arranged hook 95 which is adapted to be;

hooked into one of 'the-openings 'in'the side of the reel thereby operatively engagingthe crank handle with-the reel to revolve the same on said shaft and" wind'the film on the reel.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanylng draw;

in-gs the construction-and operation of the invention will .be readily understood without requiring a,more extended explanation. Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle'or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as definedin the ap pendedclaims. V c

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: i I

,1. In a moving picture machine, the combination of a reel supporting box, an ad-" ustable supporting frame whereby said box is attached to'the machine, means to'pivotally-connect said box with the 'frame'where= by the box may be turned and supported by the frame either in a vertical or horizontal position, means in' said box to operatively support a reel, and means in the box to operatively support a roll of film and permit the same to be unwound from its centerr 2. In amoving picture machine, the com-- V bination 70f a reel' supporting box, meansport a roll of film in said boxv and whereby said box is supported on the machine in a, vertical or a horizontal position, a reel supporting shaft slidably mounted in said box, a reeladapted to be engaged with said shaft, and means to operatively supthe'same to unwind from its center.

.3. In a moving picture machine,the combination of a reel supporting box, an adjustable supporting frame adapted to support said box ina vertical or hor1zontalposition, doors arranged in said box whereby access may be had thereto,- a shaft supporting spider slidablymounted in said box, a reel spider, areel. adapted to be revolubly mounted on said shaft, a film supporting tray revolubly mounted on said spider,said tray having a bottom inclinedfrom its cente'r toward its outer edges, a film holding cone carried by said tray, a pair of adjustably and yieldably' mounted film guiding rollers adapted to -be swung into and out of Y operative position to receive the film from said cone, and guide rollers revolublymounted "in said box whereby the film is guided-therethrough when fedthrough the machine.

5. In a moving picture machine, the combination of a box, a supporting frame therea roll of film. Q u i e 6.- .In a moving picture machine, the com- 'binatiOn, of a lens box, a frame secured permit A 11. In a moving picture machine,-

apex thereof.

for, means to. pivotally secure .thebox to said frame whereby the box may be sup-j ported in either a vertical or horizontal position, and means within thefbox to support thereto and comprising parallel sidebars,

parallel end bars, means for effecting rela-' tiveadjustment of the side and end bars, afilm containing box, a bracing plate at one corner of the box, and a pivotal connection a between said plate and-a side 'bar of the frame. v V

7. In a moving picture machine, the combination of a lens box, a frame secured thereto and comprising parallel'si'de bars, paral lel' end bars, means for effecting relative ad- 'justment of the side and end bars, a film containing box, a bracing plate at one corner of the box, a pivotal connection between box may bean' 1 a 8. In a movlng p1cture mach1ne, the comupon which the "bination of a lens box, a frame secured thereto and comprising parallel side-bars, parallelend bars, means for effecting relative adjustment of the side and end bars, a film containing box, a brace plate at one corner of the box, and an adjustable. pivotal con said plate and a side bar of the frame, and 'rests on the other side bar nection' between said plate andthe side of l the frame. 9.=In a moving picture machine, the com bination of a lens box, a frame secured thereto comprising parallel side bars, an end bar formed integrally wit-h one side bar, a collar adjust-ably secured on said end bar and carrying one end'of the otherside bargcollars adjustably secured on the side bars, a second.

end barcarried by said collars, a head ad just'ably secured on one of the side bars, 2 film containing'box, and pivotalConnection between said' box and said-head.

10. In a moving picture machine, the combination of a reel supporting-box, an adjustable supporting frame adapted to supportsaid box in a vertical or a hori 'zontal'position, a shaft supporting spider slidably mounted'in said box, a reel sup-7 porting shaft adjustablyi connected with said spider, a reel supporting tray revolubly. ounted on said spider, and a reel holding cone carried by said tray.

the

combination of a reel supporting bo"x, a film supporting tray *rotatably mounted in said box, and a film-holding cone disposed at the I center of the tray.

12. In. a moving 'picture machine, the" combination of a reel supporting box, a film supporting tray rotatably mounted therein and having a conical bottom, and a film holding cone secured to said bottom at the f 13. In a moving, picture machine, the 1 combination of a reelsupporting box, a film supporting tray rotatably mounted in sald box, a film holding cone disposed at vthe center of the tray, a frame mounted withln the box, and film guiding-rollers on said 'frame' adjacent the end of ther cone.

14. In a moving picture machine, the

combination of areel supporting box, a film' supporting tray rotatably mounted said box, a film holding cone disposed at the "center of. the tray, a frame mounted within the box and movable circumferentially thereof, and film guiding rollers in said frame adjacent the end of the cone.

15. In a moving picture vmachine, the

, combination of a reel supporting box, a film supporting tray'rotatably mounted in said box, a film holding cone, disposed at the center of the tray, a curved support arranged concentrically with the tray, a frame mounted on'said support and adjust- I able along the same, and film guiding rollem carried by said frame adjacent the outer end of the cone. I

16. In a moving picture machine, the

combination of a reel supporting box, a film 1 supporting tray rotatably mounted in said box, a' film holding cone disposed at 'the center of the tray, a curved support within the box conoentric with the tray, abracket engaging said support and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a frame pivoted said bracket, and film guiding-rollers at the in ner end of said frame adjacent the cone.

17. In a moving. picture machine, the

combination of a reel supporti-ng'box, a film'- supporting tray rotatably mounted in said box, a film holding cone disposed" at the center of'the tray, a curved support within the box concentric with the tray, a bracket engaging said support and adjustable longi-- tudinally thereof, an extensible frame pivoted to said bracket, and film guiding-roll ers at the inner end of said frame adjacent the cone.

18. In a moving picture machine, the

combination of a reel supporting box, a

shaft therein,'a', film holding tray rotatably to. engage the notch in the nut, and film guiding rollers carried by said frame.

In testimony whereof I'have hereunto'set' my hand in presence of two subscribing witnes ses. r Y

. LEWIS W. MERKEL.

. Witnesses JOHN J. HANLON, PERCY SCHAAn'r. 

